Groves defended his world title and won a place his spot in the final later this year. Chris Eubank Jr fell on George Groves with ferocity but without accuracy. He unsettled Groves when he clattered in on the inside but could snag Groves on the end of his combinations all too rarely.

Groves manoeuvred, landed jabs to keep Eubank at bay and hammered him with a heavy right to force the challenger back.

The two collided in a tumultuous final round, with Groves dropping his hands leaning in and rolling away from punches. Eubank’s left hooks collided with Groves’ chin at times but he couldn’t capitalise on those success and Groves was a worthy winner.

He took a unanimous decision, 117-112 for Howard Foster, 116-112 for Steve Gray and 115-113 for Marcus McDonnell.